Declarations of interest: Chairman noted an interest in a planning application for Old Acre as he lives nearby.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were read approved and signed.

Matters arising: Chairman noted that the canal is in need of repair approximately 50 yards west of last year’s breach. Clerk will write to British Waterways to ask them to inspect.Letter received from WBC detailing possible construction of a bund at the rear of the houses in Brimpton Road. Clerk to write to Mike Goddard as he owns the land.Four people have expressed an interest in joining the village hall committee. Chairman will arrange for them to meet with Steve Angell.

Public time: Minutes of previous meetings will be placed on the village website.The glass has been replaced in the notice board in Birds Lane.Query regarding the windows in the development at Hill House will be referred to WBC for clarification.

District Councillor’s Report: The new waste and recycling collection service starts this week.The community Information service has moved to Thatcham library.The discovery centre is reopening this week following last year’s floods.Notices relating to Nursery Copse are with the legal officer and should be issued in the next couple of weeks.

Annual Accounts y.e. 31.03.08. & Budget Review 2008/09

The clerk presented the accounts for 2007/2008 and noted that the internal audit had been completed. They were approved by the council, proposed by Mr Disson and seconded by Mrs Rusbridge and were signed by the Chairman.

Village Hall:

One event had been held in the hall last week.The drains have been cleared.A letter will be sent to all residents regarding future plans for the hall when the new committee have met.

Meeting with Dr Markham

No comments had been received from any councillors so the matter was held over for the next meeting. The chairman noted his disappointment that councillors have not been more active between meetings following his request last month for a greater commitment. An emergency planning meeting held last night with WBC had been attended by himself and only one other councillor. He had received no feedback at all in relation to the local development framework.

PlanningNew applications: 08/00911 Old Acre - Demolition of garage and erection of building – 2 councillors were against this application and 3 noted no objections therefore the council had no objection overall. They noted however that any further development should be very strictly controlled.

P O Box – PO Box no 6203 RG19 9FP has been set up for future use.Area Forums – WBC have suspended these temporarily with a view to finding alternative ways to communicate and consult with the public.Community Council for Berkshire – AGM 15 July 2008Open Spaces Society – AGM 1 July 2008CAB – Letter of thanks for contribution to outreach service.Readibus – AGM 10th July 2008Thames Valley Police Authority – Have your say! & Open Day 9 August at Sulhamstead.

Play Area No problems to report.

Midgham Green: The parish council have paid for the works to the green but will be claiming the amount back from the Midgham Green residents as previously agreed. One resident has queried the width of the turning circle and feels that it may need to be slightly enlarged. The chairman will inspect to see if alteration is needed. Logs will be placed along the path to protect the edges. Some rats have been seen in the discarded grass cuttings and the clerk has written to the contractor to ask for cuttings to be removed in future.The bench has been repaired.

Parish Plan: no news to report.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.

The next meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 29th July 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were read approved and signed.

Matters arising: There were none.

Public time: There were no points raised.

District Councillor’s Report: None made as the District Councillor was not present.

Village Hall: T he chairman explained that the hall committee no longer exists as the Hall Chairman was unable to continue and there are insufficient volunteers to continue with the rest of the duties. The councillors were unanimous that every effort should be made to maintain a hall for the village although it is currently not possible to keep it open so a letter will be sent to all parishioners asking for volunteers to serve on an interim committee.The village hall survey was also discussed together with the various alternatives for building a new hall.The Chairman had been in contact with Dreweatt Neate who can draw up a feasibility study with a view to achieving planning permission for a new hall. This would involve selling the existing hall and the children’s play area, and building a new hall on an alternative site, although a site has yet to be identified. WBC has indicated that planning permission would only be possible if the three applications are submitted together as they have to consider significant community enhancement.The initial fee for the study would be £1750 plus vat but there would be additional significant costs if the proposals move on to more detailed planning stages.It was also noted that definitive proposals will have to be presented to the village and that at all stages, the development must be wholly for the benefit of the village.The councillors voted 4-1 in favour of commissioning the feasibility study. In the meantime the hall will remain closed as there is no one to run it.

West Berkshire Planning – Local Development Framework: The Chairman and Mrs Rusbridge had attended a meeting and reported that WBC will be reassessing the boundaries for each parish. The changes could have an effect on the planning process. The chairman circulated an information pack and asked for comments back within the next 7 days.

Dr Markham: The Chairman and Mr Ormrod had held a meeting with Dr Markham to discuss his complaint regarding a planning application. Following this meeting the Chairman wished to state that if individuals discuss or communicate matters which have been discussed by the parish council, they must make it clear whether they are acting personally, or on behalf of Midgham Parish Council, as a matter of best practice. A further statement will be drafted for the next parish meeting.

Clerk’s report: Financial statement: c/a 1019.98 d/a £17560.01

Bills to be paid Manscape Garden Services for 2007 £556.05. Clerk will request that in future the contractor removes the cut grass after mowing.Sane Planning in the South East – councillors decided not to join.Citizens Advice Bureau – a donation of £150 was agreed.Community Council for Berkshire membership £30.Open Spaces Society £30.Parish Clerk Salary and reimbursements £507.74.Parish Council Insurance £353.57 New quote accepted from Came & Co.

The Councillors present approved these amounts for payment.

Planning

New applications: 08/00648 Spire Ridge Kennels - no objections as long as there is only one residential property.

MIDGHAM PARISH COUNCIL April 2008 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday April 22nd 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

Present were Mr R Disson (Chairman), Mr. D. Lombardo, Mr J Ormrod, Mrs. M. Rusbridge, the Clerk Mrs.E Berry and one member of the public.Apologies were received from Mr. S Sawyer, Mr J Goddard and Mrs I Neill.

Declarations of interest: None

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were read approved and signed.

Matters arising:Annual Village Meeting: 24 April 2008. The District Councillor will now be unable to attend the meeting. Details of the plans for the hall and lay-by will be displayed together with the trust documents.S106 details from WBC received. Derek will format the information so that the council can consider what action to take regarding the funds.

Public time: WBC has advised that the A4 bus shelter should be replaced during the current financial year but a check will be made for a more specific time frame. Clerk to make enquiries about a claim on the insurance.

District Councillor’s Report: None made as the District Councillor was not present.

Clerk’s report: Financial statement: c/a 1155.41 d/a £15145.01

Bills to be paid Manscape – clerk is querying latest invoice. Village Hall rates demand – checking to see who is liable for this. PJ Lush for Midgham Green £1468.75Two quotes have been received for Parish Council Insurance. These will be discussed further at the next meeting. The Councillors present approved this amount for payment.

Invitation received from the Rural Housing Trust re an Affordable Housing scheme. Kennet & Pang Valley Area Forum meeting 23 April 2008. No councillors able to attend. Town & Parish Emergency Planning Training 23 June 2008. All councillors will try to attend. Clerk to reserve places.Open Spaces Society request for a donation for their Green Alert campaign. £50 agreed and approved.Connecting Communities in Berkshire membership request – clerk to check details.Quality Design Planning Document – to be circulated to councillors.Parish Bids for the Highway & Transport Capital programme – circulated.a)Replacement of Bus Shelter on A4 – will be replaced under the Real Time Passenger Information scheme.b)Safe off street parking for 3 vehicles outside Midgham Village Hall – bid unsuccessful but may be resubmitted next year.Safer Communities Partnership Newsletter circulated.

Letter received from Ann Clarke re landscaping at junction of Birds Lane/School Hill. Moira to look at this and make recommendations.

Report received from WBC re flooding in Midgham making a number of recommendations for action to reduce future risks. Report to be circulated to all councillors.

Play Area No problems to report.

New Play Area James is researching this.

Midgham Green: Most of the tree work is now complete but the surface of the green needs improving. James will get quotes for preparation and treatment of the green.

Village Hall Report:

All households have been sent the Village Hall survey and approximately 30 have been returned. The chairman has had informal meetings with the planning department to discuss possible solutions. A parish resident is considering donating some land for a new hall.New vacuum will be purchased shortly.

Any Other Business

47 Birds Lane – a reply had been received from WBC explaining that most of the work has been found to be acceptable in planning terms. The completion of a bonded surface for the new access is still under observation by the planning dept. The chairman noted that the reply covers all the points raised by the parish council and explains the current position.

Mole End – Chairman has written to Dr Markham offering to have an informal meeting to discuss further points raised by him.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.

The next meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 27th May 2008 at 7.30 p.m.